“but we will all be changed” I Corinthians 15:51
New Life: The leaves we lose will result in growth
Today’s leaves are tomorrow’s mulch. That realization, made on the cusp of Maggie’s joy-filled though brief remission in 2016, led to the title and meaning of our website Leaf by Leaf. I had been overwhelmed by all she and our family had lost to gain this victory. Were those losses just waste or would God redeem them for her good, our good, and His glory? Once again, today, through time-changed perspective, I look again to all we buried throughout her illness – sifting dirt to find the treasure of hope and new life. Our plan, to use this website to present her story – His Story through her life – was designed as a shared journey. What will it be without her?
My first impulse is to relinquish any claim to plans I might ever entertain. After all, they haven’t had a face to face with reality very often these past four years. What is burial but throwing dirt in the face of broken dreams one final time? But hope is stubborn. For I find even as grief just begins to stir in my soul, a new sprig erupts through tear-softened earth. What, exactly, is this growing? I can’t make it out clearly. Faith is famously hard to pin down for inspection. It begs to be trusted more than understood.
I do know, and still believe, nothing is wasted in God’s grace-driven economy. He takes all we release and eventually makes a mulchy mixture of dirt and death. A grave. The ground must swallow for hope to emerge. And it does. From the darkest soil, new life arises. Not only do our losses feed this growth, but we, the essential, scarred, damaged, tattered selves that we have become, are transformed in the shedding. (From About Leaf by Leaf).
So, He’s asked me to cast off more than I ever planned to lose. He mercifully took slowly what He knew I needed to give. Now Maggie has been transformed gloriously. We earthbound believers tend to think the most desirable miracles come in material form. What would have been better than to see her body healed? Think of the story that would have been. I always hoped and often thought that’s the story we would share.
With eternity and love in His heart, our Father performs His will in and through us. He gives us New Life. His greatest work is bringing life from death. The only plans that should remain after loss has stripped us bare are those that make us Christlike. Period. With that view, I’m rededicating Leaf by Leaf to the task of sharing the beauty we witness emerging from the grave of all we release. Leaf by leaf we are changed.
For the background on the name Leaf by Leaf, read here
Wow! I have no words for the depth of your faith and insight. I am so blessed to know you and your precious family! Looking forward to each and every writing you are willing to share. Praying for y’all always!!!!
Thank you for your continued commitment to helping others cultivate through this life…weeds, dead limbs, dry ground, fertile soil, buds, and the hope of blooms…day by day…trying to live out Maggie’s motto…to bloom where we are planted. You are a soldier, Melissa…thank you!
NOTHING is wasted in God’s grace-driven economy! Thank you for the reminder of what is often forgotten when the cares of the world creep in! Continued prayers my sweet friend!!!
Continuing to pray for you. Thank you for sharing as you are going through this time.
You faith gives hope.
Melissa, God’s grace gives us the shock effect that helps us through what most think is the hardest part. However, those of us who have experienced significant loss know that it’s the “after shocks” that are the hardest to bear. I had a pastor tell me that every dream or plan that I had was gone and I would slowly learn to make new plans and new dreams. He was right. You have been given such an amazing gift to not only be able to express your thoughts and feelings as you are going through this journey, but actually be able to partially see the road ahead. Your faith continues to light your path. You’ve shown us all what true faith is. Once again, your generosity in sharing your experience is a gift to us all.
Awesome writing, Melissa! Keep searching through your thread and the Lord. You are finding your way and will continue to do so. The Lord will continue to give you comfort, wisdom and insight. You have lived an intense experience, God walking with you, we love you, continue to find your way! All of us are with y’all and for y’all. May God Bless you and Phil, and provide y’all with love and understanding. We love and support yall!
Please always share your thoughts and gift of writing with us as you have shared your sweet Maggie. I am inspired and challenged and better for knowing you. Thank you for pointing us to Christ in the midst of every trial.
❤️????????????????????????????
What depth. I just can’t find words. Please know that you all are constant in my prayers.
I’ve found it hard to give up the hope that I held for, what may be, our most simple outlook, that is, a restoration to this natural life. I think I skipped your last post, or two. Tonight, I posted my simple September birthday tributes to those of my, slowly diminishing, rather large family, as has been my custom for several years. This month included my Mother, my youngest sister, and my daughter, Maggie, maybe a hint towards a part of my interest in your family’s life. When I finished the post, for whatever reason, I came almost directly to your blog. Thanks for sharing! I feel better. If you can get to it, please read my FB post from earlier tonight, at Ken Brannan.
I did go back to read the missed blogs, and was reminded that a close acquaintance often, mistakenly, substituted ‘Molly’ for our ‘Maggie’. Things in this life have caused me much thought about what things are important for our remaining time here.
God Bless You, Phil and Molly, and this next phase of your journey. I look forward to reading your Story of Faith, Love and Courage❤️????????
❤️
No words sweet friend…thanks for sharing and like others have said, pointing us to our Savior. May Father God continue holding each of you in his loving arms!!